It's another Fairy Fun Friday!

Hi everyone!
Today we have a theme...... Summer Vacation.
We want you to create a card/project, LO, anything that reflects your Summer Fun!!!
Well, for ME, it will always be the beach. Carefree days with my brother building sand castles and paddling.
Ahhh, happy days!

Ha Ha!!! I just LOVE Lewis and his (today) older sister Gillian.
(She could quite easily be be his KID sister next time).
I used kraft card, torn randomly for the 'sand' and plain blue card stamped with a swirl background stamp to depict the sea. The cloud  paper is by Pink Petticoat and the sentiment is by Autumn Leaves... Stampology.
I used Diamond glaze on the spectacles to make them look glassy. You can't tell very well though, sorry.
Did you notice Lewis's sunburn!! Ha Ha!!(Courtesy of my Copics).  I HAD to do that as my brother and I ALWAYS over did it on the beach and got terrible sunburn!! That was in the days before all the warnings, so please don't shout at me. LOL

Hop on over to the Fairy Fun Friday challenge blog where you will see the fantastic creations by the uber talented DT!! They have captured the essence of the challenge brilliantly.
I do hope you join in with the challenge. Roberta, always has a fab prize on offer and you could be our next guest designer!!!

Thanks for calling by Viv xxx

I've given up!

I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with Donna and other DT members, but decided that it was time to get back to more varied or 'girlier' projects. So, I have resigned as a DT member at Cards For Men.
Being in at the birth last year, makes Cards for Men that bit special and I have promised Donna that I will return for the Christmas edition. Brilliant!
Cards For Men is on the look-out for THREE more designers. Not just one!
(The blog has grown so much over the last few months, we were all finding it hard to get round to all the entrants and leave a comment).
So, if you fancy having a shot at being on the CFM DT, click HERE.  Good luck!!
 Thanks for calling by 
Viv xxx

It's only Tuesday, but it's Whacky Wednesday!!

Here's the details of the MEGA Wacky Wednesday Sale at Peachy Keen!!!

PLUS! Peachy Keen Challenge # 31

WACKY WEDNESDAY IS TOMORROW...June 23rd!
Sale will begin 8pm tonight (22nd June) until MIDNIGHT on Wednesday 23rd June.
UK -2am Wednesday Morning to 6am Thursday morning, (plus 1 hr. for those across the Channel).
 
Customers receive an additional 5% off of your entire order in addition to the global discounts already in place!
 
THREE RANDOM WINNERS WILL receive a full REFUND (from Wednesday sales only)
REFUNDED ORDER NUMBER ONE will be drawn from the $100.00 and over category, 
REFUNDED ORDER NUMBER TWO will be drawn from the $75.00 and over category,
REFUNDED ORDER NUMBER THREE will be drawn from the $40.00 and over category!
ALSO, THREE  RANDOM GIFT CERTIFICATES of $50.00, $25.00 and $15.00 to three other buyers drawn from the entire month of June (not just from Wednesday)!

WOWZER!!!!

Now you've got the deets for the Wacky Wed. sale, here's the latest challenge.... A Sketch! 

I LOVE sketches. I don't have to work so hard! LOL

Here's my sample............................ 

Yep! It's Vivienne and Harvey! (The novelty of having my very own stamp set is still strong)!!! 

From of course... 'Vivienne and Friends',  available HERE at the Peachy Keen store.  

Coloured with Copics.

DP by Cosmo Cricket. 

Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts. 

Pearls and ribbon from stash.

Martha Stewart punch provided the 'grass'.

Please hop on over to the Peachy Keen challenge blog and check out the samples from my fabulous DT friends! They are A-mazing!!! We'd LOVE you to play along too. There's always a super prize on offer and you have to be in it to win it!

Have a wonderful week and I'll 'see' you soon.

Thanks for calling by Viv xxx

My swan song for Cards for Men!

Well, I was at the birth of Cards For Men, so to hang up my hat is a little difficult to say the least.
I've had a wonderful time with Donna and the special girls on the CFM DT.
But, it's time to move on as I want to get back to 'girlier' cards.
But before I say my goodbyes, I have one last card for you for the Cards For Men Challenge.

Sponsored by .............. Meljen's Designs

Here is a short intro by Melissa
"Meljen's Designs is a digital stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical, fun digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and it is steadily growing".
(Please visit the store to find more of Melissa's wonderful images! They are a dream to work on).

For my card I used the image 'A boy and his wagon'.......available HERE.

Melissa's designs are a dream to colour and I love the whimsical 'stitched' style she uses.
This image is coloured with Copics as usual and the DP is DCWV's Nana's Nursery...Baby Boy.
You were right Donna!! Ha Ha.
The sentiment is from Peachy Keen's Vivienne & Friends stamp set. YEP! I'm the Vivienne! Whoo Hoo.
Finally, a piece of SU Bashful Blue ribbon and three brads from my stash.
Bob on over to the CFM blog and check out the fantastic cards the other DT members have made. I think they are the best yet. Give 'em some love and please play along. you know you want to.

Well, that's it my friends. My last DT card for Cards for Men. I hope you like it.
(Keep an eye out on the CFM blog as I'm sure Donna will be putting a DT call out pretty soon).

Thanks for calling by

Viv xxx

Winner of the Peachy Keen hop prize draw!!

Oh, how bad am I!! I was supposed to draw this at midnight, UK time!
Oops! I'm so sorry for keeping you all waiting. I had SUCH a full on day yesterday, it wrecked me!
Here we go....... THE WINNER IS............

No.93

MARY!!

Congratulations Mary.

Please let me have your details so I can get your stamps to you.

(You are going to get SO much pleasure from this fantastic set). Enjoy!!

Thank you to everyone who took part and made the introduction of 'my' stamp set SO special and also for your thoughtful and encouraging comments. I hope you'll call back again soon.

You are all wonderful.

Viv xxx

Fairy Fun Friday Challenge#24

How can it be Friday again already!! It was only a couple of days ago surely! Where DOES the time go!
If you find it, can you tell it to come back please.
Well, this week at Fairy Fun Fridays, the theme is....... 'FOR DADS'.

For my sample, I played around with 'Lenny', the loveable lion.
( He's available at the Prairie Fairy Store, HERE).

I printed Lenny in two sizes so I could get a Lenny Jnr.

Coloured with Copics as usual and mounted on plain card. I can't remember the name of the DP, sorry.

The alphabet discs are from a boxed set by Papermania. I've had 'em YEARS! (There's loads in the box).

The 'string' is taken from a piece of Hessian sacking I picked up at the local craft shop. I just keep pulling threads out as I need 'em.

I distressed the edges with my very technical distressing tool......... the edge of my ruler.

Now, you kind and wonderful bloggers, hop on over to Fairy Fun Fridays and join in the fun! There's always a fantastic prize on offer and you've gotta be in it, to win it. Plus. you'll really want to see what the other girls have created for you!
Well, It's late and I have to be up early to get to the hospital for my next dose of radiotherapy.
(This post is scheduled, so I hope it doesn't let me down). Only three more after tomorrow's, (today's by the time you read this).  I'll be so glad not to have to traipse there every morning.
Have a fabulous weekend and come back soon!

Viv xxx

Today's the day! A new release and a blog hop!!!

  Hi! I'm so glad you could make it. Did you arrive from the Peachy Keen blog? Great!
'Coz if you are taking part in the hop, that is where you need to start.

What a frantic couple of days it's been!! The blog hop was a last minute decision. It's very late in the making, so please allow us a little slack if there's a bit of a glitch here and there. (It will be here if anywhere, I'm good at glitches)! LOL

If you didn't visit Peachy Keen first, I can reveal the most precious stamp set in the whole wide world here..................

PK-277,Vivienne and Friends 

Isn't it just FABULOUS!

I was delighted at the new set just because it's SO cute, but when I saw the name, I just cried!

Then I cried again when I found out that it was for all the stuff I'd had going on over the past 6 months.
(If you don't know, I lost my mum on 9th December. Her funeral was 21st December. We didn't bother with much of a Christmas. Spent January sorting mum's estate out. Had my mammogram in February. Was recalled and told I had breast cancer. Admitted to hospital on 25th March. Lump removed and had re-constructive surgery to both breasts. Am at present attending Christie hospital in Manchester daily, for radiotherapy. It's been a gruesome 6 months and Kathy has wiped all the bad from those months with this act of total friendship. I couldn't feel more honoured, or valued if I'd won an Oscar!!! I actually couldn't feel any better if I HAD!!!

What a fabulous gift to lift my spirits after the worse 6 months EVVAH!!! I can't hope to repay such kindness.
(The little fur baby, is based on my dog Harvey)!!! Ha Ha!  You can see him at the top of my blog.
When I was 'helping' Kathy tweak the images, I had no idea what she and the other girls were scheming and I will be forever grateful to them all for this privilege.

 If you would like to win this brand new Peachy Keen set, all you have to do, is leave me a comment telling me which of these three cards is your favourite. 

(I couldn't ink this set up fast enough when it dropped onto my mat and then I couldn't stop)!!

No 1

No 2

Or

No 3

 I will keep the competition going until Friday midnight GMT, (6pm CST) and I will announce a winner on Saturday.

Here is the order of the hop.........
Peachy Keen
Me
Lorie
Janice
Nikki
Emma
Heidi
Samantha
Lisa
Angelica
(Our lovely Sonia is in the process of moving house, so can't join us today).
Every card the girls made for this hop is totally STUNNING!!! I can't WAIT for you to see them all.

Make sure you visit ALL the blogs, as there are prizes on offer on some of the blogs and we wouldn't want you to miss the chance of a prize!!
 Your next stop is  LORIE. Go see her fab creations!!!

Good luck and have fun!!!
Viv xxx

It's time for Sneaky peek #2!

You are doing well at guessing what's in store for you!!
Can you guess this one?.........................

Or this one?................

Oooh, Can't wait to show you tomorrow!!!
That's all the tantalising you're going to get from me today girls but look HERE on Kathy's page at Peachy Keen......I hadn't got a CLUE!!! What a fabulous friend she is and her family is just as lovely.

SEE YOU TOMORROW!!

 Viv xxx

Oh BOY! Have Peachy Keen got a treat for you!

I don't know where to start with this story!! Ha Ha.
I've had a rubbish 6 months as most of you know. Losing my Mum just before Christmas.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer in February and am still undergoing treatment at present.
Not the best of times, but it could be worse.
BUT IT COULDN'T GET ANY BETTER, 'COZ I'VE GOT A SURPRISE FOR YOU!
(Well it was a surprise for ME too). I have been paid the biggest compliment EVVAH!!!
I'll say no more for now, but I WILL tell you........Peachy Keen are about to release a brand new stamp set. Ok, they do that a lot, so what's the big deal this time? Well I'll tell ya........ON TUESDAY!!
Yep! I'm a horrible person for keeping you in suspense. LOL
I'm not going to tell you any more for now, but here's a sneak peek....

Does anything in this picture remind you of anyone?........Hee Hee  

I will tantalise you with another Sneaky peek tomorrow and on TUESDAY, all will be revealed both here and at Peachy Keen when you will see this whole fabulous set! (I will be giving one away as blog candy too). Whoo Hoo! Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the next sneaky peek!

Bye for now!
Viv xxx

It's a glittery Fun Friday!!

OOH! we're all glittery and blingy today at The Fairy Fun Fridays Challenge Blog!
It's week 23 and the Challenge is...Glitz and Glitter! Music to many a girl's ears when it comes to card making!
Here's my sample......

 I added Stickles everywhere! I sprayed the roses with silver glitter spray and poured it onto the swirls on the Basic Grey DP. I coloured my gorgeous sitting fairy with Copics. She's called 'Little Lady' and is available to purchase HERE.Isn't she lovely all Stickled and glittery. I added some gems to the Nestie I used to frame her and popped one on the middle of the ribbon for balance.

Please hurry over to the Fairy Fun Fridays blog and see the amazing creations that my mega talented fellow DT members have come up with. You'll be amazed at their gorgeousness.
Play along for the chance to win some of Roberta's fabulous digi images and you may also win a guest DT spot!

Whatever you decide to do.....HAVE FUN!!!
Thanks for calling by
Viv xxx

Peachy Keen Challenge 30

This time the challenge is to MAKE A SHADOW BOX.
When Angelica told us what the challenge was, I was flummoxed 'coz I hadn't a CLUE how to do one!!
Hmmm, good old Google to the rescue! I Googled 'shadow box' and it came up with millions of ideas.
They all called for a proper frame and although I do have some, they were pretty inaccessible at the time, so weren't an option. There was only one thing for it.....make a box, glue it shut and cut the middle out.
Here's the result........

I used the side step card as the template for my 'scene'...(without the bit at the side).
For the main image, I used 'PK-210 Natalee'. The gorgeous 'daisies' are from PK-240 Say it with flowers', (One of my favourite sets). Not forgetting the 'sun', PK-M16, You are my sunshine.
The cloud background is a print out by Pink Petticoat.
I made the 'grass with my Martha Stewart punch and stuck it onto the first fold in front of Natalee. The border around the front of the aperture is also a MS punch, my latest fave, the little flowers. The branch is a McGill punch that's almost identical to the MS one. Not forgetting the picket fence MS punch at the back. The flowers in the corner were made with  X-cut retro daisy punches finished with a brad in the centre.
I had thought I wouldn't be able to rise to this challenge, but I reckon I did.
Please run to the Peachy Keen challenge blog for all the details and 'have a go'! There are two a fab prizes on offer , (as always) and you'll see the most amazing creations by my MEGA clever DT buddies.
I really enjoyed making this shadow box and I'm quite proud of it too.

Thanks for calling by
Viv xxx

It's Father's Day at Cards for Men......

 Well actually, it's the latest challenge...'Father's Day.
Here's what I came up with......

Aren't these little Whimsie Doodles whales the CUTEST!!!!
(The image was free for members of the WD group, over at Paper Craft Planet).

The challenge this week is being sponsored by .........

Who have kindly donated a prize of this Dina Dragon polymer stamp.

Now, we know how good you all are at men's cards now, so Father's Day should be a walk in the park for all you talented ladies out there. Get creating and join us in the challenge! You know you want to.

Hope on over to the Cards For Men Challenge Blog and see the amazing samples done by my totally clever fellow DT members. (You can get all the details while you're there too)!

Have fun!!

Thanks for calling by,
Viv xxx

Challenge 22 at Fairy Fun Fridays

Hi Everyone!
Yet again, Friday has whizzed round and it's time for the latest challenge over at Fairy Fun Fridays.
This week's challenge is..... 'Decorate a bag'.

This posed a problem for me, 'coz I didn't have any bags! (Well actually, I DID have some paper bags, but I had never used them, so had a clear out, ARGHHHH)!! That'll teach me to never throw anything away.
So, thinking cap on Viv. 'Decorate a bag, WHAT bag! Haven't got a bag. YES I HAVE!!!
LOADS of cello bags for putting cards in!! So, I stretched the challenge a bit and actually used a bag more than decorate it.
(This actually worked out well for me, 'coz it's for someone who's been through the mill a bit lately health wise similar to me).

Here were are.......

 The fabulous digi image, part of the set 'Tea Time' is perfect for this.

Inside showing the cello bag containing some English tea bags.

 

I got the instructions off SCS HERE, as usual. I would be lost without that forum! I had to adapt the width to accommodate the cello bag, but otherwise, It's exactly the same. Just substituted treats for tea!
 Now just you wait and see what the other brilliant DT members have in store for you!! They did wonders with their bags. (Gotta get me some bags now I've seen how they did theirs)!!!
Hurry on over to the Fairy Fun Friday challenge blog and play along for a chance to win some delightful digi images. Or play just for fun! Whichever you do, have FUN!!

Thanks for calling by!
Viv xxx